There is a little known fact that, in Yalta/Potsdam/other conferences of the time, Soviet Union seemingly in all seriousness asked for a mandate (or 'trusteeship', or whatever) over one (usually not named) of former Italian colonies.
Link:
From encroachment to involvement: a documentary study of Soviet policy in the Middle East, 1945-1973, page 9
In other sources, Molotov's proposal to divide Libya into four 'trusteeships', with USSR taking Tripoli, pops up.
This issue seems to have been discussed in at least four conferences, but with little result.
So, I'm wondering:
* Were Soviets serious about this, or was it just an element of obstruction/distraction tactic?
* Did they have any chance of getting something?
* What would they do with it?
Link:
From encroachment to involvement: a documentary study of Soviet policy in the Middle East, 1945-1973, page 9
In other sources, Molotov's proposal to divide Libya into four 'trusteeships', with USSR taking Tripoli, pops up.
This issue seems to have been discussed in at least four conferences, but with little result.
So, I'm wondering:
* Were Soviets serious about this, or was it just an element of obstruction/distraction tactic?
* Did they have any chance of getting something?
* What would they do with it?